Easy Decoupaged Spice Jar Labels

This isn't even creative. I just really wanted all my spice jars to be uniform. I had this old spice rack that was always hidden away with most of the spices unused. I maybe kept one of them in my actual spice cupboard for regular use and that was the one that I dumped out and put my own spice in! This is why I don't like those generic spice rack sets. They don't fit the needs of each individual kitchen. Unused product is wasted product.  I really hate wasting things. 

I am striving for complete organization in the new place. This may seem like such a simple and silly thing to post about but that's what this blog is for, to share my projects with those few people who really love me and care about my life. ;)

Like I mentioned in a previous post, I went to Office Max to look for labels. I really had my eye on these Kraft Brown labels by Avery:

But then I saw the price on them and just couldn't bring myself to pay $14.99.  SURELY I could figure something else out. 

I stripped the yucky old stickers off the lids of the spice jars and cleaned them all out. Look at all these fresh jars! (I LOVE jars).  To buy these basic little guys new in the store would be .99 each. I love having stuff on hand. (Saved me $16 dollars, wooooo!)

What to do with them? I have a silver Sharpie and a white oil-based paint Sharpie and I thought about just writing on the lid and sticking them all in a drawer like this: 

BUT I still really wanted to display them in the cupboard. I just think spices are so pretty! 

I decided to just print out my own labels on regular paper using American Typewriter font and cut them out with a sort of a raw edge.  I love the way the raw edge looks with this font.  Kind of rustic, no?  I then used decoupage (Mod Podge) to glue those little guys to the jar and then put another thin layer over to seal them. They are so simple but I'm happy with the way they turned out. Now they're all the same! Hooray! 

Now go label all of your spices! :)

Dirty Ol' Desk Chair Re-Vamp

This is about as far as my re-upholstery skills go.  I would like to eventually re-do a cooler-looking, more sturdy chair.  But as for now, this is what I have to work with.  No reason to let it end up in a landfill.

This is just a cheap plastic chair but it works just fine.  The fabric was dirty and just wasn't holding up anymore. Time for an update!

I went to Joann's, picked out a sturdy decorator fabric, and went home to gather my staple gun.  On the back rest, I removed the plastic lip that covered the fabric then removed that icky orange stuff.  The pad was in good shape so I left it and just recovered with the new fabric and stapled away.  Then I put that plastic lip back on and put the chair back together.  Ten minute project and a new chair for just $5 in fabric.

Easy Pencil Mirror

Ok ok, I'm on a mirror kick. I can't help it. I've got all these old mirrors just begging to be decorated.  My eyes are constantly open for ways to adorn them. 

This particular one was completely unplanned. 

I was just browsing in OfficeMax For some printable labels for my spice jars. Well I can just forget about being obsessive-compulsive on this one because the labels I wanted were $14.99. For paper? Not today. Probably not tomorrow either.  New plan. 

There I was just walking through the store when I saw this gem.  Wowzers!  Sticks I can glue to another mirror! Look at that sale! I nearly dove into that bin once my mind put two and two together (and ended up with 60 somehow because that's how many I grabbed).  Last night when I was making the magazine mirror, I did think for a split second about using colored pencils (mmmmm colors!) but I just couldn't pass up the price on these.

Annnnnnd it's a teacher theme. The Mr. is a teacher so how appropriate is this?! So teacher-tastic!  How cool of a teacher gift would this make? Nobody has to know it cost me 20 cents. Unless of course they are reading this blog, in which case,  it's the thought that counts and maybe next time I'll just make you a macaroni necklace instead... Jerks. 

I figure I'll add it to my office wall (oooooh hey, it's office themed as well!) grouped next to the magazine mirror. Unless I hate it, then at least I won't have to ever buy pencils again.  But how cool to have a group of mirrors each covered with a different medium? I can dig it.

This literally took me five minutes. I glued four sets of five pencils together first, then glued those to the mirror. Presto. Cake. Done-zo. This is kid stuff. 

How else can we get creative with mirrors?

Recycled Magazine Sunburst Mirror

Well that was TEDIOUS.

At least it was FREE! *High Five!

Before I started, I also planned on making THREE.  I now think one is a good number.  Yeah, I wouldn't want to take away from its uniqueness by making a whole slew of them... Sure, I'll go with that.

I have always loved magazine art. I just think it's fun, urban, colorful and just looks rad.  

I also really dig sunburst mirrors. I've seen a ton of DIY sunburst mirrors (that usually involve twigs or something else I don't have on hand.) 

I had these old mirrors sitting in the garage that I thought would work for this. They were stuck together and adhesive was all over them so I had to clean them up first.  I used a Goo-Gone imposter (some thick orange furniture polish, that'll do) and a razer blade to remove the sticky ickies. 

I used EVERY LAST PAGE in an old magazine. I really thought it was going to take more. I did cut each page in half though. I used a paper cutter so that didn't take any extra time.  I rolled those babies up and glued the edges. After the first two I was ready to poke out my own eyeballs. This is a little more tedious of a project than I prefer. I made bigger rolls for the outside and smaller rolls for the inside. 

FINALLY!

Once I finished the rolls, I used an old lid as a guide and traced it with a permanent marker. Then I used a hot glue gun to attach the rolls. 

As long as it doesn't tragically fall apart, I plan on hanging this up in my guest room/office/craft room.  

Thrift Scores of the Day!

Found at: Shascade Community Thrift Store on Lake Blvd.

What:  4 big cushy throw pillows in a print that I've had my eye on! NEVER USED. 

Cost: $14 total (and she threw in 2 rustic/industrial-looking candle pillars). Note that I have been eying pillows and cannot find anything I like for under $15 for ONE pillow! 

I can't wait to wash these. The covers zip off for easy washing! I think they will go perfectly with our big camel-colored sectional! 

Found at: American Cancer Society Discovery Shop on Churn Creek. 

What:  A quality globe with wood base AND metal hardware. (Not plastic like so many of the new ones!) 

Cost: $8! I snatched it up in record speed.

I have been looking at globes for a while but put it off because the nicer, newer ones are $40+! Even the cheap plastic versions can still be around $30. Insane. 

Updated Oak Armoire

I don't like the way TVs look.  I have shows that I like to watch, but overall, I hate TV.  I really have to be in the mood.  There are times when TV watching is acceptable and appropriate but I also like visiting with friends and actually connecting with other humans. (And I really like to play outside!)  So... Bad TV! Go to your room! If I want your opinion I'll ask for it!

In my living room, my HUB for socializing, I want that TV hidden away, only to come out when it's appropriate...like when Breaking Bad Season 6 or anything else I like ever hits NETFLIX streaming. :) Did I mention we don't have cable? Thanks Netflix!

This is why an armoire in the living room was a perfect solution (since I can't afford a recessed 50 inch flat-screen in a custom frame pretending to be wall art).

I wasn't seriously looking for a new piece of furniture but did keep my eyes open while thrifting and browsing Craigslist.  But...something magical happened, I found one and didn't even have to go far!  My dad was recovering from surgery and I was visiting with him in his room.  I was looking around and said "OMG, that is what I've been looking for.  To find an armoire just like that to re-do!"  His flat screen TV was on TOP (not inside of it). And there was nothing inside! GASP!!! Unused furniture!? I studied it for a second, imagining all of the things I would do to it (this is starting to get steamy)... then I said, "Dad, can I have that?" The rest is history.  Turns out, Dad has 32 pieces of furniture in his room so we moved the dresser over to replace the armoire as the new TV stand. :)  THANKS DAD! I love hand-me-downs!  My parents got this solid oak furniture set probably 15 years ago when this look was "all the rage".  Insert grumpy cat face here.

Time for an update.  That's the beauty of solid wood, it can be refinished.  None of this cheap particle-board junk that doesn't last and ends up in landfills.

I don't have photos of my step-by-step process but it was rather simple and only took a few hours. I removed all the hardware and took the doors and drawers off.  I laid the doors out on paint cans.  Because it was only stained and I didn't have to strip it, I just gave it a quick sand with my electric hand sander using 220 grit paper.

After sanding I used a tack cloth to remove all dust.  Now time for paint.  I used Behr's paint and primer in one in the color "Espresso Beans".  This will be the same color I re-finish the kitchen cabinets in the new house with.  (Test run on the armoire, woooo!)  I used a brush to cut in on all the panels and detail work and rolled the rest with a small foam roller.  I used 2 coats of paint and am really happy with the result.

I did rough up the hardware a little with sandpaper and spray them with a brushed nickel-colored spray paint.  I'd like to eventually replace the knobs with something a little prettier but for now this will do. :)

EXPLORE...and Save $60...

We love maps and we love travel.  (Give Scotty a globe and he is entertained for hours).  I want to incorporate this somehow into our home.  It just so happens, there is a ton of map decor out right now!

...AND IT'S ALL OVER-PRICED.

Have you been to World Market lately? (Will I mention World Market in every post?) Maybe I will. Stay tuned.

When I saw these, my eyes bulged and my jaw dropped.  

Did you catch that price? You can bet that I let out a "HA!" and put those little letters back on the shelf they were sitting on. 

Let's just head on over to Joann's and see what we can find, shall we?

OH! Thanks Joann, for the $19 in WOODEN letters (Not paper like WM's)

I already had this map-tastic scrapbook paper at home...In TWO options!

Now we stencil. Trace those babies out and get to cutting.  Get as many letters as you can on that paper.  We don't waste around here!

Mod Podge the letters using a brush.  Just a thin, light layer is best or you'll have bubbles and probably end up tearing the paper.  Put the paper cutout on the letter and smooth out with a credit card.

A perfect fit.  I may end up putting another layer of Mod Podge over the top to seal and protect.

BOOM! I can dig it. I actually like these so much MORE than the letters at WM.  They look pretty cool on that table but I think I want to hang them on the wall.  They'll look snazzy against the warm gray paint I chose for the house (future post coming).